John A. Defrancisco's posts related to Drunk Driving

Senator John A. DeFrancisco (R-I-C, Syracuse) announced that his bill (S3760), which would stiffen penalties for persons leaving the scene of a boating accident without making a report, passed the New York State Senate on May 25, 2011.

A second offense within five years of the first offense would be an E felony.
If a third offense is committed and all three offenses are committed within twenty-four months, then the third offense would be punished by an E felony.

Failing to report a boating accident to the Transportation Commissioner could carry the penalty of an A misdemeanor.

Senator John A. DeFrancisco (R-I-C Syracuse) announced that his bill (S2860-A), which would create a link between all of a person’s driving under the influence of alcohol or drug offenses, passed the New York State Senate today.

Named after the late Tiffany Heitkamp, who was killed during an alcohol related boating accident in July of 2006, the bill would link Boating While Intoxicated (BWI), with Snowmobiling While Intoxicated (SWI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), as well as driving an ATV while intoxicated. Under current law, there is no linkage between these offenses, making it possible to be convicted in two or more separate cases and still be treated as a first time offender.

Senator John A. DeFrancisco announced that his boating safety certificate bill (S2903B) passed the NY State Senate.

The bill would require individuals 21 years of age or younger, who have been subject to a suspension of operating privileges related to alcohol-related boating offenses, to obtain a boating safety certificate before operating a vessel.

“Boating tragedies on Skaneateles and Oneida lakes, as well as the BWI death of Syracuse-resident, Tiffany Heitkamp, have brought the problem of boating while intoxicated to the forefront,” said Senator DeFrancisco.

“It is important to educate those who have already been convicted of BWI, on how to drive a boat safely, in the hopes of preventing future tragedies,” concluded Senator DeFrancisco.